No Comparison

“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?” “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart.” “You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?” Exodus 15:11; 1 Kings 8:23; Psalm 71:19

“I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.” Isaiah 45:5-7

It is our bent to compare, to line up experiences with others we have had before, to liken new places and events to others we have known, and measure ourselves against other people in appearance and performance. But when we gaze at Almighty God, all attempts at comparison fall away. There is no one or power or feeling or god that can even begin to compare with the eternal King of kings. Beholding Him fixes our focus above ties to our surroundings and elevates our consciousness beyond the temporal. His alone is the greatness and power and glory and majesty and victory. (1 Chronicles 29:10-13)

Nothing on earth can supply lasting satisfaction of the heart, the instant of being given the right thing to say, the invisible and palpable comfort of knowing you are being carried in the deepest of grief. Who or what else can providentially orchestrate the overhearing of a conversation that leads to new friendship or meeting of a need, can bind hearts together in Christian love, can amaze with hope that calms the agonized soul? Is there any other power that is perfectly holy, infinitely loving, completely sufficient?

In the chaos of activity and emotion, the pressure of responsibilities, the spinning and limits of time, where do we look for order, help, resolution? When we feel frenzied of heart, confused at direction, fearful in the darkness of a diagnosis or suddenly-altered future, or weighed down with care, would we turn to the incomparable, omniscient One Who upholds, sustains, calms, and leads with light? When weak, incapable, wounded, spent, to whom or what do we go? Only God is strong, omnipotent, Jehovah Rapha the Healer, Lord Sabbath of rest. There is none like Him. (Deuteronomy 33:27; Isaiah 41:10; John 14:27)

Mighty, indescribable God, Whose name is above every name, captivate my thoughts and my every affection. Guard me from even subconsciously trusting anything or anyone as a better solution, shepherd, solace, or satisfaction. Wrench me away from comparisons against others to worship the incomparable You with all that I am. (Philippians 2:9)